It's Tana, "The Little Rascals" caretaker, I'm writing from work as I won't be home for a few hours and I need to make a decision about an introduction tonight. Please reply to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and/or the list, and I'll check my e-mail when I get home & decide. I have a bit of an odd introduction going on between a male (Sheridan) and a female (Trixie), at least it seems odd when compared to my memory of past introductions. I put them together yesterday evening after a week in a split tank. She seemed very wary of him, she would come up to him for a moment then run away. Sheridan was very patient last night and good about not chasing her around, and finally I saw Trixie groom him twice, very thoroughly, and him groom her once. I figured it was going well. When I got up this morning, though, they were sleeping in separate corners of the tank. My husband just called me from home and said Sheridan has been chasing Trixie around and pestering her like crazy, and she is running away and squeaking. I seem to recall this sort of behavior in pairings before, but I think it always settled down within a day. The fact that it's going on now is concerning me. I did spot her grooming him again this morning ... I'm not sure what to think! Trixie belongs to my husband, he's getting a bit upset and worried about her because of all the squeaking. I told him to put Sheridan in a clean carrier for now until I get home this evening, then we'll figure out what to do. At least it will give Trixie a few hours break from being chased! Those of you with breeding experience, does it sound like I need to put them back in the split-tank arrangement for another week? I'm wondering if she's coming into heat and that's why he's chasing her now ... I'm just not sure what to do. He did not seem at all aggressive toward her last night, but I'm afraid she might get tired of being chased and attack him! It's been awhile since I had a breeding pair. Any advice is appreciated! Have a lovely day, Tana Lyman Quality Control, Labs KnowledgeNet Scottsdale, AZ
